i have had to really control myself when discussing issues with the builder because I know it can backfire. learned that from reading many posts on GW. the way i have approached it is that i bin things into 3 buckets a) gotta be addressed right now, b) needs to be addressed - but wait for the right time , and c) address at the end - cosmetic issue. Very few things make it into the A bucket. And when an items does pop up, I am very careful about how I approach the builder. I am always pleasant - even when I am fuming mad. I try to figure a way to let the builder save face "oh, the electricians kinda let us down here" even if I knew it was his direction that caused the issue. If I am steaming, i wait until I cool off before I call the builder. This is very hard for me - I got 1/2 italian and 1/2 german oil in me. Had to do the same with DW - when she get's frustrated about the house progress. So far - it has worked very well. I have only had to pull on the handle twice. The first time was at the beginiing - after a 4 week delay in the foundation being dug. I had to wait until there was no reason for excuse (we had all the permits, we had good weather, we had all the plans - everything was in place). I waited long enough - then I called. I explained to the builder that we were concerned that something was wrong. Was there anything we needed to do to help? Within 3 days after that call - digging started. The second time I pulled on the handle was when the siding started - then the guys disappeared for a week (my limit). This was after the electricians had been pulled away for 2 weeks - back again for 1.5 days - then off again - then back on again (drove me nuts!) and we were a month behind schedule for drywall. Again - I waited until there was no room for excuse. All of my work was done (I did some wiring), the electricians were done, we had all the inspections. Called to ask the builder if he knew that his subs were not on the job for a wekk (like he would not know why) and was he ware of that. "I love the work they are doing - great job - but the Tyvec is starting to rip away from the wall" Day later - siders were back on the job. I think timing for raising issues and the approach to interacting with the builder is key. If you pull on the handle to often, or yell and scream - you will go further down on the priority list. My builder always answers my calls or emails - because I never yell or scream at him. I am always very calm about working through issues. It's a very professional working relationship. But I have had to work very hard at it too. I have learned, and finally accepted the fact, that we are not the only project the builder has (even though we think ours is the most important of course) and that stuff happens. There are a lot of dependencies in the many tasks required to build a house - and if one thing slips on any job - it can have a big ripple affect on everyone. Builders like to use the same subs they have counted on for years - these subs have schedules to. There are life issues (builders mom passed away), weather issues, car accidents - crap happens. This has been very mentally and phyically draining. Learned a lot about diplomacy - which is not my strength. I know it will get done in time.

Wow, that Harry Lipsky site is a great reference tool! Thanks, yogacat, for posting that link. Massagegirl, do you have a sofa in your apartment? That bookcase is is 86" tall. A lot of sofas are wider than that, and deeper. And yet they can fit through dooways that are 30 or 33 inches wide. You might have to take off both the outer door and the door to your apartment, but there should be a way to get that bookcase in. I'm reminded of one apartment I had where the neighbors across the hall were moving out on the day I was moving in. They had to ask me to open my apartment door so that they could move their sofa out--they had to bring one end of the sofa into my apartment in order to angle it correctly to get down the stairs--there was only a short, narrow landing separating the two apartment doors. I was pretty impressed with how a bunch of guys helping out a friend were able to figure out the solution to the problem. People who deliver furniture for a living ought to be able to work something out for you.

Oceanna, do you have a photo online? Would love to see. I've bought estate sale sofas, garage sale sofas, new sofas. If you can find a classic style with good bones used, and have a good upholsterer, you can get something custom without paying more than a middle of the road new sofa. My last and current sofa is Flexsteel. I did a lot of research, sat on a lot of cushions, and brought home about 2 dozen fabric samples from 3 stores before buying. I did some online research too. With a sale price, I paid about $1300+ about 8 years ago. I got a better quality fabric to stand up to child and dog abuse. I paid an extra hundred bucks for Guardian fabric protection and have not yet had to use it. The sofa still feels good, is supportive, and looks new. I may need to replace the foam in the seats next year so it will plump up a bit. We lay on it, sit on it, dogs jump on it, eat on it, and generally live on it. Love it. Love the Flexsteel steel frame construction. By the way, the 'life' of a sofa under Calif rules, is 7 years. Mine is going strong and I would most definitely consider another Flexsteel. Plus, the attached back cushions and 3 cushion seat style lend themselves to staying attractive and comfortable longer than some other styles. The moss sofa in forefront of photo is my Flexsteel. You can see how the seat and back cushions have their shape still. You don't see the slight camelback style, or the nailhead trim, or the bun wood feet. But those are personal style issues and I think you are going for longevity. In the back of the room is my 40 year old rattan sofa, bought through an ad in the newspaper. It had a lovely pink and mauve and green and white floral swirl print from maybe the early 70's. Nice. I had it recovered about 4 years ago in a sale chenille in a moss bronze color. It's all cushion styling. But again, the frame was great and worth recovering. Red

Thank you. Here are my vendors: Cabinets—Bilotta in Mt Kisco, Danielle Florie Brand is NAC, color: Decorator’s white Floor is porcelain from Terra Tile, Gina Counter—Secolo porcelain from Walker Zanger, fabricated by Ecuastone. Pendants—Pottery Barn